Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid July 15, 2025 Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated when abnormally dry or drought conditions once again develop in the area. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ARX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. 2024-25 Drought Ends For the first time since mid-July 2024 (July 23), no part of the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) is abnormally dry (D0) or in drought (D1-D4). The drought maxed out with 40% of the area in severe drought (D2) in late October 2024 (October 29). Recent Change in Drought Intensity... Abnormally dry (D0) was removed from Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa; and Crawford, Grant, and Richland counties in southwest Wisconsin. For the first time since mid-July 2024 (July 23), no part of the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) is abnormally dry (D0) or in drought (D1-D4). Precipitation... Recent rain has alleviated the abnormally dry (D0) conditions across Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa; and Crawford, Grant, and Richland counties in southwest Wisconsin. Temperature... During the past 7 days, high temperatures averaged within 1°F of normal. During the past 30 days, temperature departures ranged from near normal to 4°F warmer than normal. The largest anomalies were near and south of Interstate 80. Summary of Impacts... Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts As of the morning of July 15, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions No known actions are taking place in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts... Recent rain has alleviated the abnormally dry (D0) conditions across Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek counties in northeast Iowa; and Crawford, Grant, and Richland counties in southwest Wisconsin. As of the morning of July 15, rivers and stream flows were near to much-above normal in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and southwest into central Wisconsin. There currently is no place in the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) which is abnormally dry (D0) or in drought (D1-D4). Fire Hazard Impacts... As of the morning of July 15, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast... From July 17 through July 24, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting anywhere from a ½” to 3” of rain across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The wettest area is expected to be in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Normal precipitation is around 0.9” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook... From July 25 through July 31, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Long-Range Outlooks... From August-October, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has tilted the odds toward temperatures warmer than normal (40-50%) across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Below-precipitation is favored (33-40%) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from west-central into central Wisconsin. Elsewhere equal chances of precipitation is expected. Drought Outlook... Drought is not anticipated to develop through the end of October 2025.